from קָצַר; severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage); bough, branch, harvest (man).
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word קָצִיר (qâtsîyr - `{{H7105}}`) derives from the verbal root קָצַר (qâtsar - `{{H7114}}`), meaning "to cut off," "to shorten," or "to reap." This etymological connection is crucial, as it imbues qâtsîyr with the fundamental sense of something "severed" or "cut." Its primary semantic domain revolves around the concept of "harvest," encompassing various facets:
* **The act of reaping:** The process of gathering crops.
* **The produce itself:** The crop that has been reaped.
* **The season or time of harvest:** The specific period when crops are gathered.
* **Figuratively, the reaper:** Though less common for the noun itself, the context can sometimes imply the one who harvests.
A secondary, yet significant, meaning relates to something "cut off" from a plant or tree, specifically a "bough," "branch," or "foliage." This usage underscores the core meaning of "severed" and highlights the word's versatility in describing both agricultural outcomes and natural elements.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of קָצִיר (qâtsîyr - `{{H7105}}`) in the Hebrew Bible predominantly refer to the agricultural harvest, a cornerstone of ancient Israelite life and economy.
* **As a specific season:** It frequently denotes the time of year, as seen in "the days of wheat harvest" [[Genesis 30:14]], "the beginning of barley harvest" [[Ruth 1:22]], and "the harvest time" [[Proverbs 6:8]]. This emphasizes its cyclical nature and critical importance for sustenance. The timing of harvest was often linked to specific festivals, such as the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), which celebrated the wheat harvest.
* **As the gathered crop:** The word refers to the actual produce, such as "the harvest of the field" [[Exodus 23:16]] or "all your harvest" [[Deuteronomy 28:38]]. This highlights the fruit of labor and divine provision.
* **Implying the act of reaping:** In passages like [[Proverbs 10:5]], "He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest brings shame," the word clearly refers to the activity of harvesting.
Beyond its literal agricultural meaning, qâtsîyr is powerfully employed in figurative and metaphorical contexts:
* **Divine Judgment and Eschatology:** One of the most potent metaphorical uses is in prophetic literature, where harvest imagery symbolizes divine judgment or the culmination of events. "Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe" [[Joel 3:13]] dramatically depicts the nations gathered for judgment. This imagery is later echoed in the New Testament (e.g., [[Revelation 14:15]]).
* **Missed Opportunity:** In [[Jeremiah 8:20]], "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved," qâtsîyr represents a season of opportunity for salvation or deliverance that has tragically passed, underscoring the urgency of responding to God's call.
The less frequent meaning of "bough" or "branch" appears in contexts like [[Job 14:9]], where even a cut tree can sprout anew, suggesting the resilience of life from a severed part. This usage maintains the core semantic link to something "cut off."
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of קָצִיר (qâtsîyr - `{{H7105}}`) is enriched by examining its linguistic and conceptual neighbors:
* **Root verb:** קָצַר (qâtsar - `{{H7114}}`), "to cut off," "to reap," "to shorten." This direct verbal root grounds qâtsîyr in the action of severance and gathering.
* **Reaper:** קוֹצֵר (qôtser - `{{H7115}}`). While qâtsîyr can sometimes imply the reaper, this distinct noun specifically names the agent performing the harvest.
* **Sickle:** מַגָּל (maggāl - `{{H4039}}`). The primary tool for harvesting, directly linking to the act of cutting and gathering the crop.
* **Firstfruits:** בִּכּוּרִים (bikkûrîm - `{{H1061}}`). The initial yield of the harvest, often offered to God, signifying His ownership and provision.
* **Feast of Weeks/Harvest:** One of the three annual pilgrimage festivals (חַג הַשָּׁבוּעוֹת - Chag HaShavuot), intrinsically tied to the wheat harvest, celebrating God's bounty and the giving of the Torah.
* **Grain/Corn:** דָּגָן (dāgān - `{{H1715}}`). The primary object of the harvest, essential for sustenance.
* **New Testament Parallel:** The Greek equivalent, θερισμός (therismos - `{{G2326}}`), frequently used by Jesus and the apostles (e.g., "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few" [[Matthew 9:37]]) to describe the gathering of souls for the kingdom or the final judgment, mirroring the Old Testament's prophetic use of qâtsîyr.
### Theological Significance
The concept of קָצִיר (qâtsîyr - `{{H7105}}`) carries profound theological weight within the biblical narrative:
* **Divine Provision and Faithfulness:** The regular and reliable recurrence of the harvest season, as promised after the flood ("seedtime and harvest... shall not cease" [[Genesis 8:22]]), stands as a tangible testament to God's covenant faithfulness and His unwavering provision for His creation. It underscores humanity's absolute dependence on God for sustenance and survival.
* **Reward for Labor and Principle of Sowing and Reaping:** Harvest inherently represents the culmination of effort, patience, and diligent labor. It embodies the universal principle that "whatever one sows, that will he also reap" [[Galatians 6:7]]. This applies not only to agricultural endeavors but also to moral and spiritual conduct, where righteousness yields good fruit and sin brings forth consequences.
* **Judgment and Eschatology:** Perhaps its most powerful theological application is in its metaphorical use for divine judgment. The "harvest" becomes a metaphor for a definitive time of reckoning, where the wicked are "reaped" for destruction and the righteous are gathered into God's storehouse. This imagery is pervasive in prophetic literature ([[Joel 3:13]]) and culminates in the New Testament's depiction of the final judgment ([[Revelation 14:15-16]]). It signifies God's sovereign control over history and the ultimate bringing forth of justice.
* **Missed Opportunity and Urgency:** The lament in [[Jeremiah 8:20]]—"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved"—serves as a poignant warning against spiritual complacency and procrastination. It highlights the critical importance of responding to God's call within His appointed time, lest the season of grace pass by.
* **The Gathering of God's People:** In a positive eschatological sense, the harvest can also symbolize the ingathering of God's elect, the gathering of believers into His eternal kingdom, a triumphant culmination of salvation history.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קָצִיר (qâtsîyr - `{{H7105}}`), rooted in the concept of "severing" or "cutting off," primarily denotes "harvest"—encompassing the act, the crop, and the season. While occasionally referring to a "bough" or "branch," its most significant biblical usage pertains to the agricultural cycle, symbolizing divine provision, the reward for labor, and the principle of sowing and reaping. Theologically, qâtsîyr serves as a potent metaphor for God's faithfulness, the inevitable culmination of human actions, and especially in prophetic contexts, a powerful image for divine judgment and the eschatological gathering of humanity. It underscores both the promise of God's sustenance and the urgency of responding to His call before the "harvest" of opportunity passes.
TRV